Secondary and All-Level Education
Become a secondary or all-level teacher by earning your Texas teaching certification
The Teacher Education Program at the Dreeben School of Education prepares teacher candidates who aspire to teach specialized subjects with secondary and all-level teaching certifications. These teacher candidates complete dual majors in their intended teaching field and in education.
Students pursue a major in their intended teaching field and a minor in education. Students can choose from specializations in art, English language arts, history, life science, mathematics, music, physical education, physical science, Spanish and theater.
Secondary Certification, Grades 7 – 12
Teacher candidates interested in secondary teaching certification (grades 7 - 12) complete dual majors in their intended teaching field and the Education-Secondary major. This course of study includes the UIW core, coursework in a content major (among specialized teaching fields), and the Education major. Secondary teacher candidates are also eligible to complete optional minors in Special Education and/or Literacy. Secondary teaching fields include:
- English Language Arts
- History
- Life Science (Biology)
- Physical Science (Physics or Chemistry)
- Mathematics
All-Level Certification, Early Childhood – Grade 12
Teacher candidates interested in all-level teaching certification (grades EC - 12) complete dual majors in their intended teaching field and the Education-All Level major. This course of study includes the UIW core, coursework in a content major (among specialized teaching fields), and the Education major. All-level teacher candidates are also eligible to complete optional minors in special education and/or literacy. Music EC-12 certification is available with a B.M. in Music Education and an Education minor. All-level teaching fields include:
- Art
- Music
- Spanish
- Theatre
- Physical Education (Kinesiology)
Specialized Minors
The Literacy minor addresses instructional considerations and strategies related to developing reading and writing skills. The coursework focuses on elementary grades, is grounded in the Science of Teaching Reading, and includes English language acquisition and dyslexia. The Literacy minor is required in the Education-Elementary major. This minor is available for students in any major.
The Special Education minor is primarily designed to prepare teacher candidates to support students’ academic and behavioral needs in inclusive classroom settings. While the minor is not required for Education-Elementary majors or Interdisciplinary Studies majors, three of the four minor courses are on the degree plans; therefore, one additional course (EDUC 3335) will complete the minor.
Education-Secondary majors, Education-All Level majors, and Education minors are required to complete one course (EDUC 2316) and have the option of completing additional courses and the minor. Students in non-Education majors may also complete the Special Education minor. Non-Education majors may choose EDUC 2315 for an elementary grades focus or EDUC 2316 for a secondary grades focus. The Special Education minor requires four courses (12 credit hours): EDUC 2315 or EDUC 2316, EDUC 3343, EDUC 3346, and EDUC 3335.
Clinical Teaching Experience
The Teacher Education Program is a field-based program that provides intensive, realistic, and high-quality experiences in school settings. Eligible students may apply for a clinical teaching experience offering them an opportunity spend full days in classrooms and other learning environments where they connect theory and practice, observe effective teaching practices, and interact with diverse populations. Through the program, apprentice teachers explore and develop their teaching skills in close interaction with cooperating teachers and university supervisors.
The clinical teaching experience is considered to be the capstone of the Teacher Education Program and is completed in the final semester. Clinical teachers complete a 15- to 16-week, full-day placement. Placements with partnership schools are arranged by the program.
Clinical teachers must meet all requirements for clinical teaching applicable to the semester to which they apply. Requirements are subject to change to reflect current Texas Education Agency and UIW Teacher Education Program standards.
At minimum, clinical teacher applicants must demonstrate content proficiency with a passing state exam score in their certification content area as well as demonstrate the professional disposition expected for a professional educator.
Admissions Criteria
Find out more about requirements, standards and processes to begin your journey as a Dreeben School of Education student